Abstract

Recent progress on branched polymer membranes as electrolyte materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications has attracted interest due to the limitations of commercially available Nafion® membranes. Branched polymer membranes have shown improved chemical stability, proton conductivity, and good solubility. The branching degree and the structure of the branching agent have an essential correlation with the characteristics of the polymer membranes. This review presents the most recent and promising design strategies and characteristics of branched polymers as proton exchange membranes for both low- and high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Recent advances in branched polymers are summarized, including branched sulfonated poly(aryl ether)s, branched sulfonated polyimides, branched polybenzimidazoles, etc. The remaining challenges and prospects in proton exchange membranes are also discussed.

摘要

由于市售 Nafion® 膜的局限性，支链聚合物膜作为质子交换膜燃料电池 (PEMFC) 应用的电解质材料的最新进展引起了人们的兴趣。支化聚合物膜已显示出改进的化学稳定性、质子传导性和良好的溶解性。支化度和支化剂的结构与聚合物膜的特性有着本质的相关性。本综述介绍了支化聚合物作为低温和高温质子交换膜燃料电池的质子交换膜的最新和有前途的设计策略和特性。综述了支化聚合物的最新进展，包括支化磺化聚芳基醚、支化磺化聚酰亚胺、支化聚苯并咪唑等。